House hunting is exciting and most likely, your child is excited along withyou. They love to explore the possible bedrooms and dip their toes in thebig backyard pool. However, when it comes to changing schools, theirenthusiasm may start to wane. This might not be instantly apparent, andthey may not have even thought about what a move would mean to them ifthey needed to change schools. But involving your child during the homehunting itself can help make the move easier.

First, start discussing the school change in the very beginning. Explain whyyou are moving and the benefit to the family. Explain that they will get tosee possible new homes and new schools. Reassure them that the qualityof the school and opportunities it can offer are prime concerns of yours aswell as the impact it will have on the child.

Share the process you will take to research the schools and share theresults. Spend some time discussing the advantages and disadvantages ofthe various options and discuss how the change might affect the child. Takethem on a school tour and help them prepare some questions of their ownduring the visit. Consider creating a checklist for your child to use to learnmore about the classrooms, teachers, activities, and children. Spend sometime discussing their opinions and feedback as soon as you finish.

Moving can be a very exciting time, but children do not always understandor express how change affects them. School is a huge part of their life andsocial world, so spend the time to ensure the change is a positive one byinvolving the child from the very beginning.